Demo

Optical Engineer

Astrion
Mountain View, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 6/20/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/26/2026
Overview

Optical Engineer

LOCATION: Mountain View, CA

JOB STATUS: Full-time

CERTIFICATION: N/A

TRAVEL: Limited; as needed

US Citizen ONLY

Astrion is seeking an Optical Engineer, with either an active TS-SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain a TS-SCI clearance, to support our customer at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, CA. The individual will have experience working multiple projects and development of Space Mission Concepts and Small Spacecraft Technologies specific to hyperspectral remote sensing. The primary duties and responsibilities will be to support the development of mission concepts, technical analyses, proposals, and project pre-formulation within the Mission Design Center at NASA Ames Research Center. The individual will be required to support the development of multiple mission concepts for Science and Technology Demonstrations. They will be working within multi-disciplinary teams with expertise across science, engineering, technology, communications, and management.

Required Qualifications / Skills

  • 5 years of experience in an Engineering Field
  • BEng, BS or similar degree in a technical field
  • In-depth familiarity with Optical Engineering
  • Experience as a technical lead with system-level responsibilities
  • Knowledge of NASA systems engineering processes and requirements
  • Familiar with Space Mission Concepts and Small Spacecraft
  • Experience with project pre-formulation and proposal development
  • Deep understanding of Science and/or Technology Demonstration missions
  • Prior familiarity with software and concurrent engineering tool development

Responsibilities

  • Ability to understand project needs, goals and objectives and translate them into requirements and a technical solution
  • Develop Mission Concepts for payload systems and subsystems
  • Support mission design and analysis efforts with industry and research partners
  • Perform Instrument design for new concept developments
  • Support Opto-mechanical engineering and perform trade studies and analyses as required
  • Proposal development, writing, analysis and review
  • Technical leadership of study team members

Skills

  • Clear and concise interpersonal communication
  • Possess strong critical thinking and analytical problem solving skills
  • Demonstrate a strong technical aptitude for opto-mechanical instruments
  • Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, propulsion, flight dynamics, RF communications, and systems engineering
  • Ability to present information clearly to a diverse audience (science, engineering, management, costs, scheduling)
  • Work collaboratively with mission interdisciplinary team members from various fields and backgrounds
  • Possess an ability to work in a dynamic, team-based environment with mission-critical deadlines and deliverables
  • Ability to develop work and task plans with limited guidance
  • Effective time management for multiple concurrent studies and mission concepts
  • Posess an exceptional drive for mission success and a desire to support mission success through all tasks assigned
  • Ability to obtain a TS-SCI clearance or have an active TS-SCI.

Position Summary

  • Lead design of hyperspectral imaging systems and spectrometers for remote sensing on new missions concepts being developed out the Mission Design Center.
  • Conceptual Mission Design for Small Spacecraft, Payloads, and Technologies
  • Initiate and implement procedures and processes for concept development, capture, and analysis
  • Effectively communicate with both stakeholders and the concept team members
  • Concurrent Systems Engineering Tool Development

Salary.com Estimation for Optical Engineer in Mountain View, CA
$166,549 to $185,620
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